I have a Intermountain FT A/B set,that I am ready to try as my first victim.This is supposed to be DCC ready.I also have a Kato RS-2 that I would like done.Any info will help.What about sound? Does brand of decoder matter? Thanks,TJM
In terms of N scale sound, MRC is the only player in the market (loksounds makes the micro, but it is typically too large for most applicatons). That being said, MRC decoders are horrible in terms of reliablily. My advice is to skip on the sound for now until a better MFG comes along.
For a straight DCC conversion, your FTs are very simple. Digitrax makes a decoder specifically for those units. To help you along (I believe in self-help) I am going to point you towards digitrax.com. Look for the “What decoder do I need” button and start there.
Now, the RS unit…Kato made 2 versions of it. What you need to do is remove the shell and see if there is one light board or 2. This will determine the decoder you need as well as the work involved.
David B
Here are the Digitrax links:
http://www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_dn163i1a.php
http://www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_dn163i1b.php
Be grateful your first “victims” has drop ins and doesn’t require hard-wired decoders.
Best!
The A unit will require soldering the headlight to the board. The Digitrax have really small soldering pads and the headlight don’t dim very much if you plan on using Rule 17 lighting.
Just be aware that BEMF and advanced consisting don’t work good together. But the old style consisting works fine with BEMF and I love the switching speed function Digitrax uses.
Gary